i mean, i think it would be, frankly, another disaster if republicans try to use the debt ceiling, to force dollar-for-dollar budget reductions. i don't see that as a winner for them, and i can't imagine at least the party establishment is now seeing that as a potential winner for them. i mean, you know, face it. the president won the election. and he laid out a program and a philosophy, and he won the election on it. and i think as long as republicans are going to take the stance that he didn't win and that, in fact, they won and therefore they get to do things their way, i don't think -- i don't see how that's going to help them get out of that 14% hole. >> eugene, nbc.com had a very interesting way of putting it this morning, a very nice tag which is that what the electorate is looking for right now is not so much hope but a president who can cope. it's all about coping, not so much hoping. do you think that this kind of poll suggests that he is going to be able to deliver on that message of coping? >> well, you know, first of all, i think that's right. i think that, you know, the